One of Naracoorte’s champion athletes, Jessica Stenson, nee Trengrove, is off to Paris to represent the country’s women’s marathon team in the 2024 Olympic Games next month.

Born and bred in the small town of Naracoorte, South Australia, Jessica, a medal-winning marathon runner, was selected by Athletics Australia for the team after weeks of controversy and recriminations.

Sinéad Diver and Genevieve Gregson also made it to the team.

While this was not an easy journey for Jessica, she is grateful for all that she has accomplished and thanks her Naracoorte community for giving her the ideal start to life.

“I was born and bred in Naracoorte, and I am very proud to be associated with the Naracoorte community,” she said.

“I think it was the ideal start to life and certainly laid the foundations for me to specialise in running later on.”

She said she enjoyed the sporting opportunities she had here, particularly her involvement in netball.

“I played for the Kyby Tigers, I was exposed to cross country at Naracoorte North Primary School, and the annual event there was a big highlight.

“And that’s where I discovered a love for challenging myself and pushing through those moments of doubt and whatnot in a race to get to the finish line.

“I always loved that feeling of crossing the finish line, and that sort of led me to then represent my state and, in 2024, my country.

“So, at the age of 16, I went to Leon in France, of all places, so that was 20 years ago for my first race in the green and gold uniform, and my parents held a fundraiser in Naracoorte to try and get some funds together to support me to go to France for this race, and that’s when my dream to represent Australia again was born.”

“I absolutely loved my teammates, running for my country, and hoped that I would be able to represent Australia again, and it’s quite ironic that it has happened.

“And again, 20 years later, in France.”

She said every time she has run at an event, she has received beautiful messages of support and encouragement from the Naracoorte community, particularly the school.

“Those messages are with me on race day, and when it gets really tough out there in the marathon event, I think of those messages and draw inspiration from them.

“I really hope the kids in Naracoorte, young and old, can have the belief and the courage to change their dreams because it is a great place to start your career.

“There are plenty of places to run, but if you are interested in another sport, there are some really good coaches and programs.”

Jessica said she hoped to visit Naracoorte after her race in Paris to share her experiences and hopefully motivate a few kids to take their sports to the highest level.

“And if it’s not their aspiration, just to keep enjoying being active.

“There are so many benefits to an active lifestyle, both physically and mentally, and I hope to keep promoting that.”

The Paris Olympic Games will be held from 26 July 2024 – 11 Aug 2024.

The [Naracoorte Community] News wishes all our athletes competing in the Paris Olympic Games good luck.

We are with you!

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.